Public Works Program Specialist I

County of Santa Barbara; California (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara is seeking a Public Works Program Specialist I/II to coordinate, implement, and monitor water resources and waste diversion programs. The role provides information to educators, agencies, and the public, with close supervision at the entry level.

Ideal candidates will have experience in education/outreach, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects. Proficiency in Excel and Canva, plus Spanish bilingual ability, are valued assets.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting education and outreach programs for diverse audiences using various media and outreach tools, especially in sustainable landscaping or resource conservation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to stay organized while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools (Excel) and Canva for content creation.
• Experience managing social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, BlueSky).
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor water resources or solid waste recycling and diversion programs; provide information and technical assistance to educators, agencies, and the public.
• Develop and execute public information campaigns; write public service announcements and press releases; prepare promotional materials and organize community outreach events.
• Represent the department at local events; prepare articles for newsletters and maintain division and county websites.
• Support the division's various programs and assist with contract management, budgeting, and collaboration with partners.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Public speaking

Spanish (bilingual)

Social media management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Canva

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary:

Public Works Program Specialist I: $36.46 - $43.69 Hourly

Public Works Program Specialist II: $41.74 - $50.15 Hourly

NOTE: Depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department, the selected candidate(s) may be appointed at the I or II level.

We are currently accepting applications to fill one (1) Public WorksProgram SpecialistI/IIvacancy in Santa Barbarafor theWater Agency’s Water Conservationdivision of the Public Works Department.

THE POSITION:

Under close supervision, coordinates, implements, and monitors water resources or integrated solid waste recycling and diversion programs; provides information and/or technical assistance to educators, government agencies, and the general public; and performs related duties as required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

will enjoy working both independently and as part of a team and exhibit the following characteristics and skills:

• Experience conducting education and outreach programs, or related research, for diverse audiences, using various types of media and outreach tools. Particularly in sustainable landscaping or resource conservation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to stay organized while managing multiple projects and deadlines at once
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools, such as Excel, and online editing tools such as Canva.
• Familiarity or experience with social media account management, such as Facebook, Twitter, and BlueSky.
• Bilingual in Spanish (both verbal and written) is a plus

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the entry-level class in the series. Incumbents receive close supervision and training while administering ongoing programs and are expected to obtain sufficient knowledge and proficiency to progress to the journey level within a reasonable length of time. Incumbents may be assigned to either the Solid Waste or Water Resources Divisions of the Public Works Department but may transfer between the two divisions. Public Works Program Specialist I is distinguished from Public Works Program Specialist II in that the latter is the journey-level class in the series and is responsible for performing moderately difficult project and/or contract administration assignments in either a water resources or solid waste specialty. Promotion/appointment to the journey-level class depends upon both the assignment of level II duties and experience in the required specialty.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:

The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department consists of six divisions: Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Water Resources Division & Flood Control District, Laguna County Sanitation District, the County Surveyors Office, and Administration. The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. To learn more about us, visit www.countyofsb.org/pwd/.

1. Plans, coordinates, implements, directs, and monitors a variety of established environment-sensitive and/or water conservation programs, such as demonstration gardens water use and production surveys, and Santa Barbara Earth Day, in order to improve and enhance community management of natural resources; conducts water usage to determine conservation needs of businesses or organizations; performs general evaluations of programs to assess effectiveness, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance; monitors program budgets and receives, approves, and codes related invoices; researches, compiles, analyzes, and interprets information and data to assess resource management needs and assist in developing programs; and prepares narrative and technical reports to meet internal, state, and federal reporting requirements.
2. To improve public awareness and understanding of the management of natural resources, implements and coordinates regional public information and/or award programs, such as the Green Business Program, Green Gardener Program, High School Video Contest, Garden Recognition Contest, Shows That Teach school assemblies; depending on assignment, may distribute educational materials to the community and present community lectures, classes, and workshops; provides general information to the public about programs, policies, and procedures; coordinates and processes application materials for contests; develops educational materials for schools and trains teachers on curriculum; writes public service announcements and press releases; plans and executes media campaigns, and prepares promotional fliers, informational brochures, and advertisements for local programs, events, and contests
3. Represents the Public Works Department at local events, on committees and to other governmental jurisdictions, outside agencies, contractors, and the public; writes articles for County and other professional newsletters and responds to inquiries and resolves program complaints from the public.
4. Maintains Internet Websites, including determining appropriate content, updating new information and removing outdated information, and assuring consistency between division and department websites.

Applicants to this position may be considered for future vacancies in the Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division of the Public Works Department.

THE RESOURCE RECOVERY & WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION:

The mission of the Division is to protect the public health and environment of our community by efficiently managing solid waste with a focus on resource conservation. The Division oversees the Tajiguas Landfill, the ReSource Center, four recycling and transfer stations, and the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center. It also administers a wide range of customer service-oriented community solid waste management programs and prepares all engineering and geologic plans and reports to support the County's solid waste management facilities.

1. Designs and implements community outreach plans and regional public information programs; conducts educational forums and represents the Division at community events; provides general information to the public about programs, policies, and procedures; writes public service announcements and press releases; produces an annual Less Is More waste reduction guide; and prepares promotional flyers, informational brochures, and advertisements.
2. Administers the County’s regional Used Motor Oil Recycling Grant from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle); coordinates with partner agencies and submits annual application; creates and monitors budgets and receives, approves, and tracks related invoices; provides support and resources to local certified collection centers and do-it-yourselfers; conducts annual public education campaigns; collaborates with consultants to provide recycling education to English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) students; and prepares annual report to CalRecycle.
3. Leads the Division’s food recovery efforts; works with local businesses, schools, and non-profits to divert edible food to those in need; oversees the County’s food recovery responsibilities under SB 1383; tracks food donations and reports to CalRecycle; coordinates education and outreach efforts to increase awareness about food waste prevention.
4. Provides support for the Division’s LessIsMore.org and Public Works websites, including content management, webpage development, and correspondence with web developers.
5. Tracks solid waste-related legislation and analyzes impacts to the County; helps prepare letters of support and/or opposition for pertinent bills.
6. Supports the Division’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Special Waste Collection Programs; responds to inquiries and provides technical assistance to residents and businesses using the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (Center); regularly meets with and invoices businesses at the Center; coordinates temporary HHW collection events; oversees the Home Generated Sharps Collection Program in collaboration with the County Health Department; and coordinates the Division’s Electronic Waste Recycling Program.

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Requirements:

Independent travel may be required.

Knowledge of:

research methods; basic math, including fractions and percentages; and standard English grammar, usage, and syntax.

Ability to:

read, understand, and interpret technical information; gather and analyze information, draw valid conclusions, identify resulting consequences of actions, and make recommendations; conduct research and studies; prepare effective written correspondence, technical reports, and promotional materials using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax; perform basic math computations involving fractions and percentages; prepare and give public presentations before small and large groups; establish and maintain effective working relationships; organize multiple projects simultaneously and set priorities to meet deadlines; learn state and federal law, regulations, and policies related to environmental resource management; learn basic environmental science; learn County environmental management policies, rules, and regulations; learn the complaint resolution process; use keyboards and personal computers, including word-processing, database, spreadsheets, and the Internet; and learn the principles and techniques of contract management, the competitive bid process, budgeting, and public relations.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking:Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on an employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Veteran's Preference Points

Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the online financial office professional examination test date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Conditional Job Offer:

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Workers:

Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: September 8, 2026, by 4:59 p.m. PST

Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Kim Clark, HR Specialist, [e-mail]